Stonewall Gold Employer Award for commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion at work

The University of Derby has received a Gold Employer Award for its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.  

The award, presented by the LGBTQ+ equality charity Stonewall, is an aspect of Stonewall’s Workplace Index and features their campaign, Bring Yourself to Work, which highlights the importance of inclusive work environments.

Stonewall is the world’s second-largest LGBTQ+ charity, for its commitment to inclusion of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people in the workplace. For twenty years, the charity has been supporting employers to create welcoming workplaces for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people.

According to the charity’s research, more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff (35 per cent) hide who they are at work, while one in five (18 per cent) have been the target of negative comments because they’re LGBTQ+.

As part of Stonewall’s Workplace Index, the LGBTQ+ equality charity has awarded a series of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards to organisations to celebrate their inclusion work.

Dr Jo Bishton, Head of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at the University (she/her) said:

“I am delighted that the University has been awarded Gold by Stonewall for its commitment to inclusion and belonging.

“We understand that people perform better when they can be their whole selves in the workplace and by creating a collaborative environment with our LGBTQ+ Allies staff network, we aim to enable people to thrive, while actively promoting and celebrating difference.”

Liz Ward, Director of Programmes at Stonewall (she/her) added:

“We spend so much of our time at work, and our career can be a huge part of how we define ourselves. Every single lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer person should be able to be themself at work. From understanding how HR policies, such as parental leave, will affect them, to being reassured that they can speak openly about their lives and partners at the coffee machine, the impact of inclusive workplaces can be life-changing.

“It’s fantastic that the University of Derby has gained Gold Employer Award for their efforts and commitment to creating an inclusive work environment, and we look forward to seeing and supporting the rest of their inclusion journey.”

Alongside the awards, Stonewall has also published its Top 100 Employers list, which can be found on the Stonewall website, as well as further information about the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion.